This month we’ve announced the recipients of some of our biggest awards from fall of 2013: the Graduate Scholar Award winners ($10,000), the Undergraduate Achievement Scholarship winner ($5,000), and the Education Debt Reduction Award winners ($5,000). Today, we’re excited to display the recipients of the […]
Golden Key’s scholarship recipients embody the pillars for which Golden Key stands and we are delighted to assist them in making their dreams a reality. We realize that many college students today require assistance repaying the investment they have made in their education. We are […]
It’s that time of the year when college students gather with their friends and family on their respective university campuses to walk across the stage and receive their degrees. Although this is a wonderful time to celebrate the hard work and effort that students have put in, this also means that university life is over and, for many, searching for a job is their full time position. Follow these ten tips to help avoid the burden of unemployment.
Shaking Hands
This is arguably the most important tip on this list, and certainly the easiest to perfect. One of the initial measures of a first impression, this simple act could shape the interviewer’s opinion of you before you even answer a question. Keep your handshake firm and look him/her in the eyes.
Elevator Speech
Every job seeker needs to be able to explain who they are and what they do in sixty seconds or less. The key, however, is having the ability to explain their story in such a way that the listener wants to hear more. You can learn more on how to create an effective elevator speech here.
Remembering Names
When you go in for an interview, there is a strong possibility that you will meet numerous people. It is important to remember the names of the people you meet in case you have to refer back to them at a later date, whether it be the CEO or the front desk receptionist.
Researching
Once you have been invited to an interview, you need to use any resource possible to learn what you can about the company. Nothing is more embarrassing than not knowing how to answer, “so what do you know about our company?” First, get familiar with the company’s website. And, be sure to check out their LinkedIn and Facebook pages and research the history of the company. Also, find common ground with the interviewer so you have something personable to discuss.
Answering Behavioral Questions
Behavioral interview questions, such as “tell me about a mistake you’ve made and how you handled it”, are designed to uncover more about the interviewee’s personality. With these types of questions, you have to give specific examples from your past experiences, so think through some examples you can have ready to go.
“What’s Your Biggest Weakness?”
This is a cliché interview questions, so have an original answer ready in case your interviewer asks you this question. Think through exactly how honest you want to be with your weakness and note how you’ve overcame or are working to overcome it.
Networking
Many people find jobs based on their network, so it is important that you build and maintain your network. Use real world opportunities and social media platforms to keep in touch and grow connections.
Asking Questions
A passive interviewer is easily forgotten. Make sure the interviewer remembers who you are by asking questions that demonstrate a high level of interest in the company. Ask questions that you truly want answered, such as “What is the company culture like?” or “Can you give examples of projects I would be working on if I took the position?”.
Presenting
Some interviews will require you to give a presentation on a specific topic to a group of interviewers.
Be sure to bring a USB drive with the presentation on it in case you can’t access your files via cloud and remember to remain confident.
Appearing on Skype
It is not uncommon to have your initial interview via Skype or on a similar computer-to-computer platform. In light of such, be prepared in case you find yourself in a situation that requires you to use Skype. Look directly in camera, have a professional background and be sure there won’t be any interruptions from your roommate(s), pets, or other possible distractions.
From 11-13 April 2014, many Golden Key members from about 70 chapters came together to participate in service activities for Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), the largest weekend of service in the world. GYSD was created to engage young people ages 5 to 25 years […]
Golden Key’s scholarship recipients embody the pillars for which Golden Key stands and we are delighted to assist them in making their dreams a reality. Succeeding in higher education and helping students reach their potential is at the core of Golden Key’s mission. We created […]
Golden Key’s scholarship recipients embody the pillars for which Golden Key stands and we are delighted to assist them in making their dreams a reality. The Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award supports members’ post-baccalaureate study at accredited universities anywhere in the world. It is our premier scholarship, awarding $10,000 USD to each recipient. We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Fall 2013 award.
The recipients are:
Here’s what a few of the winners had to say upon receiving the award…
“My vision is to become a Family Nurse Practitioner; however, these last few weeks I was undecided if I should pursue my Family Nurse Practitioner program due to financial reasons. I am almost done with my Doctor of Nursing Practice. The Golden Key scholarship came at the right time! This scholarship is a validation for me to pursue and achieve my goal in meeting the needs of the family, working collaboratively with family primary care physicians and other clinicians within the health care system. This is a platform that can maximize my role as an Advanced Practice Nurse to deliver a more effective and cost efficient healthcare delivery models. In a larger perspective, this scholarship will allow me to be a part of, contribute, and lead in forming solutions to a complex and uncoordinated health care, not only in the USA but globally. Thank you for awarding me the 2013 Graduate Scholar Award.”
-Analiza Baldonado
“It is truly an honour to be selected as a recipient of the 2013 Graduate Scholar Award; representing my previous academic institution (University of the Witwatersrand), home country (South Africa), and other development driven young leaders across Africa. I’m currently studying towards an MBA in International Management at the University of Dundee, UK. Being a recipient of this award is a milestone and also an important event for my personal development. It will assist me in pursuing my academic program and ultimately work towards my dream of accelerating socio-economic development in Africa. Thank you Golden Key, continue believing & investing in our leadership capacity and academic development.”
-Phillip Mogodi
“Since I have been studying in Canada as an international student, the tuition fee has been always a big, problematic, and tough issue for me to overcome. I was actually going to stop studying in Canada and go back to Korea to work to pay my tuition fee, but this award literally saves my 2014. This amazing award revitalizes my time pursuing my study in Canada. This award makes me believe that a desiring time of hoping to study is always worthy to keep in the mind in one’s life. For this precious opportunity to keep studying with this scholarship, I can finally gain confidence of completing my study at the MFA program of Concordia University and making my future films as a cinema director.”
-Sun Young Kang
“I began full-time academic studies at the Stanford University School of Medicine in the summer of 2011. With the support of the Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award, I will be able to continue my service to the community and research efforts while I complete my academic studies in pursuit of a career focused on improving human health through patient care, medical research, and education as a physician-scientist. I am very grateful and honored to have received this award, and I am excited to be able to continue my scholastic efforts at a high level as a member of Golden Key International Honour Society.”
-Eric Anderson
As the tuition-free college education debates continues to be a popular topic of discussion, some states have proposed the concept of providing free tuition for community colleges as a means to provide incentive for young people to strive for a higher education. Some are worried […]
We’re proud to announce a new collaboration with Collegefeed, an innovative platform that proactively connects users with company insiders at 500+ organizations for jobs and internships. Effective immediately, Golden Key’s two million active members will get exclusive access to a wide range of Collegefeed services, including rich, data driven […]
GK SCHOLARSHIPS: Ather Sharif
GK Scholarships: Logan Thornton